29 May 2026
Ref: OIA 26098
Kay Robson-Thomas
[FYI request #34694 email]
Official Information Act Request – Extension Letter
Tēnā koe Kay
I refer to your request received on 13 May 2026 for:
“One. Where New Zealand is currently sourcing technical grade sodium fluoroacetate
following the fire at Tull Chemical Company in Oxford Alabama in October 2024 and
whether there have been any supply disruptions to the 1080 programme as a result?
Two. Whether Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research or any other accredited
laboratory tests for 1080 breakdown products including fluorocitrate in water samples
collected following aerial 1080 operations and if not why not?
Three. The basis for the provisional Maximum Acceptable Value of 3.5 micrograms
per litre for 1080 in New Zealand drinking water including what toxicological studies
or international guidance it was derived from?
Four. Whether there is any systematic monitoring of 1080 in private bore water in
areas subject to repeated 1080 operations over time and if not what the rationale is
for excluding private bores from the monitoring programme?
Five. A copy of any review of the 1080 drinking water MAV that has been conducted
since it was set and whether any review is planned in light of the absence of a WHO
guideline value.”
The Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) requires that we advise you of our decision on your
request no later than 20 working days after the day we received your request. Unfortunately,
it is not possible for us to meet that time limit and we are therefore writing to notify you of an
extension of the time to make our decision until 25 June 2026.
The extension is made under section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA, because consultations necessary
to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response to the request cannot
reasonably be made within the original time limit.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision
under section 28(3) of the OIA. You can contact the Ombudsman on 0800 802 602, or by
email at [email address].
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If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us via
[email address]
Nāku noa nā
Jean McDowall
Senior Advisor, Official Correspondence
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